The first official trailer for “The Get Down” shows us how music can lift people beyond their environment.
The new Netflix series from executive producer Baz Luhrman focuses on 1970s New York City: “broken down and beaten up, violent, cash strapped — dying,” per the streaming service’s description. “Consigned to rubble, a rag-tag crew of South Bronx teenagers are nothings and nobodies with no one to shelter them — except each other, armed only with verbal games, improvised dance steps, some magic markers and spray cans.”
The musically themed drama is led by “Dope” star Shameik Moore as Shaolin Fantastic — who may have the best character name in TV history — as well as newcomers Tremaine Brown Jr., Justice Smith and Skylan Brooks playing a group of teenagers who run wild in the streets of the late-1970s Bronx.
“The Get Down” also stars Herizen Guardiola as Mylene Cruz, whose strictly religious father (Giancarlo Esposito) forbids her from singing the disco music she loves.
Jaden Smith will recur as Marcus “Dizzee” Kipling, a psychedelically talented and enigmatic 18-year-old graffiti artist. Luhrmann will direct the first two episodes and the season finale.
The series is also executive produced by Nas, Catherine Martin, Paul Watters, Thomas Kelly, Stephen Adly Guirgis, and Marney Hochman.
“The Get Down” will premiere on Netflix on Aug. 12.